Apparatus for cleaning



Marh 7, 1933.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING Filed Aug. 8, 1929 i() 10c Lfa/enr 39@ L7/wreath' 6T Al (4.5017

F. c. MASON 1,900,122

2 Sheets-Sheet l March 7', 1933. F, c, MASGN APPARATUS FOR CLEANING Filed Aug. 8, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 `Patented Mar. 7, 1933 4TTES i,9oo,izl2

*1PAv L runners o. Mason, on oi-irceoo, ILLINOIS, Assisnon To snAiis, nonnuoir a COMPANY',

or cnioaso, iiiLiNois, A CORPORATION on New Yoan APPARATUS FOR CLEANING kApplication filed August 8, 1929.v Serial No. 384,258.

My invention relatesrto apparatus for cleaning and has foren object to provide a device of that character in which a brush or brushes will co-act with a fluid movementcreatingfniechanism to dislodgeforeign par' ticles or the like from a surface to be cleaned so that they may be subjected to the action of i the moving fluid.

Other objects include the provision of a vacuum cleaning; apparatus in which the brushing means 4so constructed and arranged that a relatively narrowed or constricted opening in the Ycasing may be uti which will result inthe creation of a greater fluid velocity at the opening than isl possible in present day devices;

To provide such apparatus in which the brushing means will more effectively dislodge the foreign substances which are to be removed from the surface being cleaned;

, To provide suchan apparatus in which thev .niembers, moving in substantial coincidence or parallelism with the major aXis of 'such opening;

To provide apparatus ofthe character describedwliich may be readily assembled and disasseiiibled, and which will be efficient and durable in use; Y

And', in general, to provide novel and efh cieiitly operating apparatus of thecharacter described vwhich may be econoiiiicaland read- -y manufactured. y n 1 Other objects will be apparent and more fullyset forth inthe followino' speciication,}

:s 'J illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: x 1

lis a side viewyof an embodiment of niy-invention, a portion thereof being illustrated in section; i

Fig. Q/is an inverted plan view of a portion of the brush actuating mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the device with a portion of the casing broken away;

Fig l is a vertical section along-the line Ll-t of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail of a portion ofthe actuating mechanism drawn to large scale;

N Fig. 6 is a detail of a pair ofbrush membersillustrating the method of operation;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary rear view .of aV modilied forinof brush actuating means; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vrear view Aof a portion of the apparatus also illustrating the modified.l forni of brush actuating mechanism.

Like numerals refer to likes; elements throughout the drawings.

10 indicates'` generally a hollow casing having a table-like top portion on which is mounted the motor casing l1, which encloses an electric motor generally indicated, by nu- '.meral l2. A suitable electric circuit is provided for attachment to any source of electric current. switch `member generally indicatedl by numeral 14 The motor. is provided with a shaft 12-a upon which is'mounted a fany or impeller 16 located inthe casing. In the embodiment yillustrated the casing is provided with a lianged outlet 10-aA to which may be attached a dirt receiving sack 17 of conventional or suitable construction. At

its opposite end the casing is downwardly r curved or directed so that its lower end lO-b will lie adjacent Ithe surface being traversed.

This end lO-b is elongated as illustrated in Fig. 3for example, and ifs-provided with a constricted entrance 10-0. Near its front caster or wheel 28, these wheels affording a mobile support for the casingmotor, `and associated parts. A forked handle, genen ally indicated by numeral 25, is pivotally at taclied to the sides of the casing for propulsion and handling of the apparatus.

In suchciicuit is included a The lower portions of the front wall lO-e and rear wall lO-f of the casing 10 are relatively closely spaced to provide a narrow duct lO-g leading from the entrance lO-c to the main interior of the casing. Spaced bearing apertures lO-L are provided in the front wall portion lO-e and larger bearing openings lO-z' are similarly spaced in the rear wall portion lO-f, these being located in alignment with the corresponding front apertures l0-t. The rear wall portion lO-f is thickened and provided at its rear face with a recess lO-o therein which, when the device is assembled, is covered by the plate iiD-m secured at top and bottom by cap screws 25.

A plurality of shafts 27 are provided, each of these shafts having the reduced outer end 27-a, the square oi' non-circular ,portion 27-22 and the inner end 27-0 of circular section, the diameter of the portions 27 c being at least as great as the diagonals of the portion 27-5 to permit withdrawal of -each shaft through its larger bearing aperturelO-a The small ends 27-a are journalled in the bearing apertures lO-L and the larger ends 27-0 are ournalled in the apertures lO-z`. The non-circular portions 27-Z are thus rotatably or oscillatably mounted in the duct iO-g. 'At the inner end of each lof the yshafts 27 is secured a pinion 30, these pinions being arranged to lie in the recess lO-c as illustrated in Fig; 4, for example. The construction and dimensions of the portions of shaft 27 are such that when the plate 10%717, is removed shafts 27 may be driven out of their mounting through the bearing apertures lO--z'. n A plurality of brush carriers 35 of l`shape are provided, each having a transverse opening of non-circular contour through the upper portion to slidably lit and engage the non-circular portion 27 1) of one of the shafts 27.k The stem of the carriers 35 is also apertured to permit the insertion of a plurality7 of bristles forming a brush 37, which is secured in the carrier 85 by a contraction or swaging of the lower end of the stem 35 as indicated by numeral 35ca The recess l0-7e is contracted at each side of the casing 10 to form reduced guide-ways 10-0 as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7, for e2;- ample.

In the form illustrated in Figs. l to 6, a reciprocable rack 39 is provided at the top of the recess lO-c, the ends of such rack being capable of movement into and out of the narrow guideways 10H0. At its lower side the rack 39 is toothed and in meshed engagement with the pinions 30.V

The shaft 12-a is extended below the casing and carries a driving pinion 40, which meshes with the driven gear 4l whose axle shaft 41-05 is journalled and supported in the bearing lO-p on the bottom of the casing.

Eccentrically carried by the gear 41 is the rotatable pin 43 headed at its upper end (see Fig. l). rhis pin 43 carries or has formed integrally therewith, the block portion L15S-a. A bell crank 45 is provided which is rotatably mounted at its apex upon the stud 46 carried at the lower portion of the casing l0. This bell crank is formed with the arms 45-a and 45-3). The free end of the arm 45-a is slotted or bifurcated at 45-0 to embrace the block portion 43-a which is free to slide therein. This block portion is provided with a head 48-5 underlying the bifurcated end of the arm 45,-0; as shown in Figs. l and 2.

The free end l5-6l of arm 45--5 is offset, as shown in Fig. l, and carries therein the headed pin 5() which is rotatable in the portion 45-d (see Fig. l).v This pin 50, like pin 43, is provided'with a blockportion 50-a which is slidably mounted 'in and engages in a slot 39 formed in the arm 39-6 which extends inwardly from the rack 39 preferably at the central portion thereof. (See Figs. l and 2.) rEhe plate lO--m is provided with a table lO--qq projecting rearwardly therefrom to support the arm Z39-ZJ and the arm l5- of the bell crank 45 as will be apparent. l

When the motor l2 is in operation the eccentric block 43-4-a will oscillate the bell crank 45 andthe consequent oscillation of arm 45-5 will be impartedv to the rack 39 in obvious manner, and an oscillation of the brush carriers 35 will ensue.

ln the operation of cleaning apparatus utilizing brushing means in conjunctionwith a moving current of fluid, such as air, particularly in the operation of what is generally termed a vacuum cleaner, it is desirable for the brush or brushes to kick loose and dislodge foreign particles from the surface being cleaned and thereby to render them readily susceptible to the action of the moving luid stream in a collector.

In the so-called vacuum cleanerspractical considerations have limited the reduced pressure or so-called vacuum which is obtainable in thecasing of the apparatus. The brushing means utilized has necessitated an entrance port or nozzle opening ofsuch size as to limit the suction effect or fluid velocity obtaining at the nozzle, and the brushing means has also been more or less inefficient in its operation.

'With my invention I am able to obtain relatively great eciency and a relatively large area of brushing action while reducing the area of the entrance port or opening, which reduction greatly enhances the effect of the suction or reduced pressure obtaining -in the cleaner casing, a result which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

I am thus enabled to increase and render for removal and deposit more effective the brushing actionA andv at the same time to increase the eective action of the moving current of fluid which likewise greatly contributes tothe eiiiciency and satisfactory operation of the apparatus. v

I find it desirable in at least some' forms of my invention to form the brush members of a greater length than the distance from the aXes of the shafts 27 to the surface over ,Which the opening 10e-0 is being moved for cleaning purposes.

As illustrated in Fig. 6 the brushes are oscillated throughy an arcy of tra-vel sufficient to clear all or substantially all ofthe bristles of veach brush adjacent each limit of the arcuate travel thereof. This arrangement with the excess length ofthe bristles results in a snap or kiek action as each brush approaches itsl limits of travel, which has ay beneficial influence in dislodging and clearing particles of dirt, hairs or other foreign substances from the surface being cleaned.

In Fig. 6 is illustrated in somewhat exagger.-

brush member, it is merely necessary lto re-v move the plate lO--ml Which may be readily done, pull or drive out the corresponding shaft 27 through its large bearing' aperture 10-c' after Which the corresponding brush carrier 35 Will be released and drop sufficiently to permit seizingthe bristles to rotate the carrier 35 approximately 90 until it may be pulled through the opening 10-0. Thereverse of these operations is follovved to insert a new brush which similarly may be done with ease by the user. Y y

The mounting and arrangement of the brushes in a vertical plane coinciding or substantially parallel With the major axis of the opening 10-0 permits the utilization of ay relatively narrow orconstricted nozzle opening 10-0 Which greatly enhances the suction effect of the reduced pressure inthe casing 10, which is created by the movement-of the fan 16 in Well known manner. This brush construction and arrangement' also provides for a moreeffective'and efficient ytreatment of the surface being cleaned by the brush members which cover substantially the entire area of the opening 10-0, as the brush length may be such as to cause an overlap ofthe surfaces treated by the brushes. v

Alsovdue to the fact that each brush'is clear at one Vside adjacent one limit of'travel, both sides of the brush are equally yWorn-in use and f a longer life vis obtained for the brush members, which' also effect a more-efficienty cleanj ing action.

- In Figs. 7 and 8 I have illustrated a modified form. of actuating mechanism for the brushes. In the embodiment there illustrated, a slide bar is' provided which is guided by the guide-Ways 100 at its ends. A crank arm. 61 is secured to each of the shafts 27 at one end thereof at the recess 10-7c, each of these crank arms 61 being provided With aslot (i1-a near its outer end. A pin (iO-a is provided on the bar to engage each of the slots 61-a. rIhe bar GO-,is provided With a rearwardly extending'arm 60-5 similar to arm 39--b in theform previously described,

this being constructed and arranged for engagement With theblock portion GO-r/t, in a similar manner, .for reciprocation of the bar 60, which reciprocation/Will beitransmitted toV the crank arms 61 to effect the arcuate Yoscillation of the vbrush members. The construction'illustrated and described readily lends itself tothe use of a vertically mounted motor 12 With an efficient gear drive therefrom tothe brush member.

It Willbe apparent that myl invention is susceptible of 1 modification and departure I `from the forms illustrated in theaccompanying drawings and described in the preceding i specification, and lI do not Wish to be restricted to such forms except asy reasonable interpretation of the appended claims and state of the prior. art render such restriction necessary.- v f f What I claim is: n

1. yApparatus of the class described including acasing having an elongated opening therein, a .plurality of brushes oscillatably mounted and projecting into said opening, said brushes'being arranged With Atheir axes of oscillation transverseto they major axis of said opening, and Vmeans to oscillate said brushes aboutv'said axes in substantial parallelism with said major aXis and across r the .surface underlying said opening.

2. In apparatus of the class described, a casing having an elongated opening therein, a plurality of brushes arranged to oscillate through an arcuate path projecting into said opening, and means to simultaneously oscillate each of said brushesthrough its are of vtravel about an axis substantially parallel to the normal direction ofV operative travel of said apparatus. j e 3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a'casinghavingan opening therein, means tocreate a movement of fluidthrough said casing and said opening including a motor, a plurality ofbrushes mounted to project Ainto said opening, each individually oscillatable about an axis substantiallyy parallel tothe normal direction o-f operative travel of said 1 apparatus, andmeans operatively connecting said Abrushes and saidv motor whereby the latter Will edect oscillation of said brushes.

4l. Apparatus of the class described comprising a casing having an opening therein, means to create a movement of fluid through said casing and said opening including a motor, a plurality of brushes mounted to project into said opening, each individually oscillatable about an axis substantially parallel to the normal direction of operative travel of said apparatus, and means operatively connecting said brushes and said motor whereby the latter will edect oscillation of said brushes, said last named means comprisinga pivoted bell crank oscillated by said motor and operatively connected to said brushes.

5. Apparatus ofthe class described comprising a hollow casing having an opening, means including a motor to create movement of fluid through said opening and casing, a plurality of separately mounted brushes projecting into said opening, each of said brushes being carried by an oscillatable shaft having an axis substantially parallel to the direction of normal operative travel of said apparatus, and means operatively connecting said motor and said shafts to oscillate the latter under actuation of said motor.

6. Apparatus of the class described including a casing having an opening, an oscillatable shaft journaled in said casing transversely of the major axisr of said opening and substantially parallel to the plane of said opening, al brush carrier connected to said shaft, a brush carried by said carrier and projectinginto said opening, and means to oscillate sai-d shaft. v

7. Apparatus of the class described including a casing having an opening, an oscillatable shaft j ournaled in said casing transversely of the major axis of said opening and substantially parallel to the plane of said opening, a brushcarrier connected to said shaft, a brush carried by said carrier and projecting into said opening, said shaft being provided with a pinion securedthereto, and means to oscillate .sai-d pinion, shaft and brush.

'8. Japparatus of the class described including a casing having an opening, an oscillatable shaft journaled in said casing transversely of the major axis of said opening and substantially parallel to the plane of said opening, a brush carrier connected to said shaft, a brush carried by said carrier and projecting into said opening, said shaft being provided with a pinion secured thereto, and means to oscillate said pinion, shaft and brush, said last named means including a reciprocable rack.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a casing having an opening with a major longitudinal axis, a brush member provided with a brush projecting into said opening, a shaft extending transversely of the major axis of said opening and carrying said member, said casing being provided with a pair of aligned bearing apertures, said shaft being journalled in 'said apertures substantially parallel to the plane of said opening, one end of said shaft projecting beyond its bearing aperture and an actuatingmember secured to said projecting portion. Y

l0. ln apparatus of the class described, a casing having an opening with a major longitudinal axis, a brush member provided with a brush projecting into sai-d opening, a shaft extending transversely ofthe major axis of said opening and carrying said member, said casingbeing provided with a pair of aligned bearing apertures, said shaft being j ournalled in said apertures substantially parallel to the plane of said opening, one end of said shaft projecting beyond its bearing aperture and an actuating member secured to said projecting portion,- said casing being recessed to accommodate said actuating member and' projecting shaft end. i

l1. In apparatus of the class described, a casing having an opening, a brush member provided with a brush projecting into vsaid opening, a shaft extending transversely of the major axis ofvsaid opening and carrying said member,'said casing being provided with a 'pair of aligned bearing apertures,V said shaft being journalled in said apertures substantially parallel to the plane of said opening, one end of said shaft projectingbeyond its bearing aperture and an actuating member secured to said projecting portion, motor means to drive said actuating member, said casing being recessed to accommodate said actuating member and projecting shaft end,

rand a cover for said recess.

12. ln apparatus of the class described, a hollow casing having an opening, a fan mounted therein, means including a motor projecting into said opening, and means to actuatev said shafts to oscillate said brushes in a direction transverse the normal direction of operative movement of saidcasing.

13. In apparatus of the class described, ar

hollow casing having an` opening, a fan mounted therein, means including a motor to actuate said fan, a plurality of spaced shafts journalled in said casing adjacent said opening, a brush carried by and actuatable byl each of said shafts, said brushes projecting into said opening, and means to actuate said shafts to oscillate said brushes in a direction transversc the normal direction of movement of said casing, said last named meansv comprising pinions, Vone secured to an end of each of saidshafts, a rack meshing with said pinions, and means actuated by said motor to reciprocate said rack. Y

14:. In apparatus of the class described a llO hollow casing having a constricted 'nozzle opening, a plurality of oscillating brushes mounted in said opening, means to oscillate said brushes across the surface underlying said opening in substantial parallelism with the major axis'thereoi, each about an individual axis, each of said brushes substantialf ly spanning the minor dimension of said opening. 15. Apparatus of the class.. described including` a casing` having an opening therein, a f

plurality of brushes projecting into said opening, and rack and pinion means to 0soillate said brushes in an arcuate path in substantial parallelism with the major axis of said opening in such manner to cut its plane periodically.

16. Apparatus of the class vdescribed including a casing having an elongated opening, a plurality of shafts parallel with the plane of said opening but extendingy transversely of the maj or axis thereof, brush members mounted for reciprocal motion on said shafts in such manner vthat their free eX- tremities extend beyond the plane of said opening through a vportion of their path of travel, and a power driven reciprocating member operatively connected with each of said shafts.

In witness whereof, l `hereunto subscribe my name this 2nd day oit' August, 1929.

FRANCIS C. MASON. 

